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MaidPro Recognizes Top Franchise Performers

Sean Kelly — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:13:20 +0000

Franchisee Andie Turner, Phoenix North

At their franchise convention in Scottsdale, Ariz., on March 6-8, MaidPro had the opportunity to recognize the outstanding performers among their MaidPro franchise owners, managers and home office staff. The winners of MaidPro’s annual recognition awards were announced at the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort and Casino on March 7 by MaidPro President, Richard Sparacio. The winners are:

Marketing Achievement Award – Janet Sklar, Carrollton, TX
Customer Acquisition Award –Dan McGowan, Lake Elmo, MN / Brent Ashley, Maple Grove, MN
Freshman Award – Kathy Ward, Phoenix – Central, AZ
Right-Hand Award – Modesta Mejia, Carrollton, TX
Mentor Award – Greg Ford, Tulsa, OK and Lee’s Summit, MO
Woman-Owned Business Award – Maxine Kenefsky, Bellevue/Seattle, WA
Male-Owned Business Award – Matt Sherman, Denver, CO
Partnership-Owned Business Award – Rhonda Peege and Carla Stone, Louisville KY

With over 28 new offices open since last MaidPro’s last convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2007, this was a

Matt Turner, Richard Sparacio

new experience for a lot of the audience in Arizona. New owner, Michelle Hunter (MaidPro in Gaylord, MI) said “I love the small company feel. All the home office employees know us like we’ve been around forever.” Hunter states MaidPro is “very welcoming to newbies.” More than half of the MaidPro offices enjoyed the warm weather, networked, participated in roundtable discussions including profitability, management principles, social media and training among other topics.

MaidPro is a Boston-based franchisor of housecleaning services with more than 100 offices in 33 states, in addition to the District of Columbia and Canada. The company, which began franchising in 1997, takes pride in its strong owner community, cutting-edge technology and creative marketing.

Congratulations to all the winners from FranchisePick.com

Modesta Mejia, Carrollton, TX

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Images: MaidPro

Why Franchise Times is Essential Reading

Sean Kelly — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:22:53 +0000

I’m a fan of the Franchise Times magazine and the people who publish it. I consider it essential reading for franchisors, franchisees and, perhaps especially, prospective franchisees. Franchise Times is an inside-the-industry publication and, as such, gives a much truer picture of what’s really happening in franchising. You won’t find Franchise Times on the newsstand, but it’s readily available by subscription or by accessing the Franchise Times website.

Newsstand Entrepreneurial Press: Hype, Fluff… or Fraud?

Tuesday I was quoted in the Wall Street Journal about my motivation for creating the controversial UnhappyFranchisee.com blog:

Mr. Kelly says he was put off by the promotional hype he had read in the franchise trade press about numerous concepts. “Almost nobody was writing anything bad,” he says, “and I wanted to give those with negative experiences a voice.”

Actually, “franchise trade press” was a poor choice of words.

Some interpreted that as a slam on FT, which it wasn’t. I was actually referring to the newsstand entrepreneurial and small business opportunities magazines that target prospective first-time business owners. These magazines portray a small business fantasyland where lovely, energetic entrepreneurs all enjoy personal fulfillment and reap huge financial rewards as owners of their very own pooper scooper, chewing gum removal, home mailbox decorating and mobile pet repair franchises.

As a marketing guy, I don’t mind a bit of fluff or some well-crafted spin now and then. And I’m certainly sensitive to the need to create an editorial environment that’s conducive to the needs of ones advertisers. But these newsstand entrepreneurial publications & their much-touted Hottest Franchise! rankings push – if not cross – the line between spin and fraud.

These magazines portray a small business fantasyland where lovely, energetic entrepreneurs all enjoy personal fulfillment and reap huge financial rewards as owners of their very own pooper scooper, chewing gum removal, home mailbox decorating and mobile pet repair franchises.

The Dangers of Newsstand Hype

For example, a couple of years ago these publications hyped the ebay drop-off store concept as the hot new franchise opportunity. Entrepreneur magazine named the largest, iSold It, as the #1 new franchise opportunity of 2007. At the same time, iSold It franchise owners sent us proof that more than 60 franchisees had already failed, that many had defaulted on their $200,000 loans and were losing their homes, and the franchisor itself was teetering on the verge of bankruptcy. Yet the printing presses were still pumping out the exciting success story for people ready to dream the impossible dream. (Read: Is iSoldit a Great Franchise Opportunity?)

iSold ceased franchising shortly after we (or rather their franchisees) broke the story. Most of the stores have closed. The owner is reportedly enjoying his $2M house. The only press the ex-franchisees are getting is their nameless inclusion in the loan default and home foreclosure statistics on CNN. (Read: iSold It Dropped from Entrepreneur 500, Loses Top New Franchise Crown)

Entrepreneur magazine is a useful publication with a lot of good content and a large franchise directory. However, they sometimes hype both unproven, questionable, and often doomed “hot new concepts” and praise huge, heavily litigated and contentious franchise giants with nary a mention of the controversies and downsides of these undoubtedly large advertisers.

Why Franchise Times Couldn’t Get Away with That Nonsense.

Franchise Times serves the same basic advertiser base, but they couldn’t get away with such nonsense for a couple of reasons. The first is that they are based in Minnesota. Anyone who has watched Fargo knows that Minnesotans (think Marge Gunderson) are not wired for deception and, if they try, they are not good at it (think Jerry Lundegaard). In fact, part of new employee orientation at Franchise Times involves repeatedly watching Fargo, outdoor fishing and snowmobiling DVDs, and memorizing the best News From Lake Woebegone segments.

Anyone who has watched Fargo knows that Minnesotans (think Marge Gunderson) are not wired for deception and, if they try, they are not good at it (think Jerry Lundegaard).

The second reason is that Franchise Times is read by real life franchise professionals, franchisors, franchisees and service providers. While Franchise Times maintains a pleasant and upbeat tone, and is not above fluff (or, in some cases, fluffy) stories about their own pets, they also cover controversies, disputes, litigation and other challenges in franchising.

Their cover story on Quiznos a couple of years back was one of the first and most comprehensive accounts of that embattled company. They have kept tabs on the story, and updated the woes of Quiznos franchisees as recently as the current issue (Quiznos update, Quiznos weighs in). They are still the only major publication that has touched the Cuppy’s Coffee debacle (Franchise Times Recounts Cuppy’s Coffee’s “Blog Attacks,” Scoble Incident, Attacks from the blogosphere).

These are pretty bold editorial moves for a publication supported by franchisor advertising dollars. Franchise Times should be applauded [insert applause here] for being willing to cover controversial and relevant topics. Readers should encourage them to do more of it in the future.

Two Recommended Industry Events

Franchise Times also hosts two major industry events.

The Franchise Finance & Development Conference
May 4-6, 2009—The Palms, Las Vegas, NV

“The Conference is a proven educational and networking forum designed specifically for owners and executives of franchise companies who want to expand the rate of growth in their franchise systems.”

The Restaurant Finance & Development Conference
November 9-11, 2009—Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

“The Restaurant Finance & Development Conference is the largest industry event that is exclusively focused on the finance side of the restaurant business. Designed for multi-unit restaurant operators and senior executives…”

WHAT DO YOU THINK? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW.

Images: Franchise Times

Full professional disclosure: I sometimes write for Franchise Times, they sometimes write about me, I am a regular listener of A Prairie Home Companion and am part-owner of a mobile pet repair franchise.

The Wall Street Journal on Franchise Blogs

Sean Kelly — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:12:11 +0000

Blogs and blogging is transforming the way franchise opportunities are researched, marketed and selected by franchise buyers. Blogs are also giving franchise owners a chance to interact as they never have before. And the mainstream business media is starting to take notice.

Today, the Wall Street Journal published Richard Gibson’s story Blogs Provide Insight to Would-Be Franchisee. While FranchisePick.com escaped mention (undoubtedly because the Wall Street Journal is nervous we’re eclipsing them ), Gibson featured one of my other blogs, Unhappy Franchisee. Here’s my 84 words of WSJ fame:

Unhappy Franchisee (www.unhappyfranchisee.com). Franchisees with gripes about their business can post them at this Web site, run by multisite blogger Sean Kelly. The site sorts anonymous concerns and complaints by brand. Mr. Kelly says he was put off by the promotional hype he had read in the franchise trade press about numerous concepts. “Almost nobody was writing anything bad,” he says, “and I wanted to give those with negative experiences a voice.” The site encourages visitors to post closures of franchises in their communities.

Like FranchisePick.com, the purpose of UnhappyFranchisee.com is not to be “gripe site,” but to have frank and honest discussions about the real nature of the sometimes turbulent franchise relationship.

Other sites featured in the article include Blue MauMau (www.bluemaumau.com), Franchise-Chat (www.franchise-chat.com), The Franchise Pundit (franchisepundit.com), & Rush On Business (www.rushonbusiness.com).

Notable sites that escaped mention include FranchisePick.Com, FranBest.com, TopNewFranchises.com, Michael Webster’s The BizOpp News, and Joel Libava’s The Franchise King blog. While not a blog, Richard Solomon’s Franchise Remedies also includes a wealth of information and insights.

Thanks to Richard Gibson for including our humble site, and thanks to all you who have contributed through your comments, information and insights.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? HOW IS BLOGGING IMPACTING FRANCHISING? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.

graphic: unhappy franchisee

FranTwits: Franchise Resources on Twitter

Sean Kelly — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:41:38 +0000

Newsweek states: “Suddenly, it seems as though all the world’s a-twitter.” The franchise world certainly is. The online conversation is getting increasingly lively and useful as franchisors, franchisees, franchisee prospects, franchise vendors, pundits, pr firms, and franchise media interact 140 characters at a time.

Now FranchisePick.com and FranBest.com are compiling the Who’s Who in Franchising on Twitter in our directory of FranTwits. See our list of franchise resources on Twitter below; to be added to the list, leave your Twitter ID and a comment

To see the full list, visit FranTwits on FranBest: Twitter Franchise Directory .

FRANCHISE RESOURCES ON TWITTER

@FranchiseKing

@FranchisePick

@iFranchiseGroup

@joncarlston

@McWebmaster

@balihoo

@john_lilley

@paul segreto

@katrynharris

@twinterstein

@FranchisingLaw

@RushNigut

@FranchiseLawyer

@franlawyer

@hklawtwits

@drjohnhayes

@Rieva

@egennicks

@doughexpress

@mcdarling

@GRIPCOMMPR

@KwesiRobertson

@mstrategiesinc

@franchisingplus

@libertyharper

@FranchiseMaven

@terrycoker

@valpakcoupons

@danatligero

@TopNewFranchise

@FranchiseHdbk

@gaeblerdotcom

@franchisefinder

@fran_foundry

@JeffreySummers

@franchise

@RecruitMilitary

@danec

To access individual pages, use the format http://www.twitter.com/TWITTERID (no @ sign). For example, to see the tweets of @FranchisePick, visit http://www.twitter.com/FranchisePick

DO YOU TWITTER? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF IT? SHARE A COMMENT AND YOUR ID BELOW.

Twitter Graphic: VincentAbry

FranTwits: Snack Franchises on Twitter

Sean Kelly — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:19:01 +0000

Twitter is the Internet’s – and franchising’s – fastest-growing and most powerful social networking and communications tool. Whether you’re a franchise buyer, seller, vendor or student, you’ll find a wealth of opportunity and information on Twitter.

Food and snack franchisors are early adopters in using Twitter to communicate and network. We’ve put together the list below of ice cream, yogurt, pretzel, and coffee franchise companies actively using Twitter.

Also check out: FranTwits: Restaurant Franchises on TWITTER

To see the full list, visit FranTwits on FranBest: Twitter Franchise Directory

SNACK FRANCHISES ON TWITTER

@BaskinRobbins

@RitasItalianIce

@ColdStoneCream

@tastifranchise

@tastidlite

@MaggieMoos

@Marble Slab

@froyoswirl

@redmango

@RedMangoCEO

@pinkberryswirl

@CoolCycles

@Caribou_Coffee

@BiggbyBob

@Pretzelmaker

@NexCenBrands

@sunshineshannon

@cookiesbydesign

@vintnerscircle

@BWCookieCompany

@rebbejoshua

To access individual pages, use the format http://www.twitter.com/TWITTERID (no @ sign). For example, to see the tweets of @FranchisePick, visit http://www.twitter.com/FranchisePick
DO YOU USE TWITTER? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.

Follow us at @FranchisePick, @TopNewFranchise, and @FranTwits

Twitter Graphic: VincentAbry

FranTwits: Restaurant Franchises on TWITTER

Sean Kelly — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:33:28 +0000

What’s Twitter? The New York Times calls it “one of the fastest-growing phenomena on the Internet.”

TIME magazine says “Twitter is on its way to becoming the next killer app.”

Newsweek states: “Suddenly, it seems as though all the world’s a-twitter.”

FranchisePick.com exclaims: “Twitter is the Internet’s – and franchising’s – fastest-growing and most powerful social networking and communications tool.”

Now FranchisePick.com and FranBest.com are putting together the definitive list of franchise companies, vendors, and resources on TWITTER. Below is a list of the most active restaurant and fast food franchises promoting via Twitter.

To access individual pages, use the format http://www.twitter.com/TWITTERID (no @ sign). For example, to see the tweets of @FranchisePick, visit http://www.twitter.com/FranchisePick

To see the full list, visit FranTwits on FranBest: Twitter Franchise Directory

RESTAURANT FRANCHISES ON TWITTER

@PopeyesChicken

@Hardees

@CarlsJr

@DunkinDonuts

@HuddleHouse

@ChurchsChicken

@caltort

@tacojohns
@jackbox

@GetCulverized

@Smashburger

@GreatWraps

@pancheros

@HotBoxPizza

@NYPDPizzeria

@goodfellaspizza

@Firehouse_Subs

@BurritoEmpire

@theBKlounge

@whoppervirgins

@beckhamcafe

@PizzaFusionSea

@DominosPizzaMgr

@McDonalds_NWOH

@MySanDiegoMcD

@Rubios_BeachMex

DO YOU USE TWITTER? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
Follow us at @FranchisePick

Twitter Graphic: VincentAbry

Follow FranchisePick on TWITTER

Sean Kelly — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:49:10 +0000

Do you Twitter?

Follow @FranchisePick on Twitter

If so, follow FranchisePick at @FranchisePick

Follow TopNewFranchises.com at @TopNewFranchise

Don’t Twitter yet? Dive in, it’s easy.

Twitter Graphic: VincentAbry

DO YOU TWITTER? WANT MORE FOLLOWERS? ADD YOUR TWITTER ID BELOW?

MCDONALD’S: Toledo Franchise Owner Leaves an Inspiring Legacy

Sean Kelly — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:08:18 +0000

I never met James Cobham, Jr., or even heard of him until today. I imagine you didn’t, either.

Too bad for us.

According to his obituary in the Toledo Blade, James Cobham, Jr., 65, was a successful McDonald’s franchise owner who died this past Sunday. I found it striking that Cobham’s family and friends did not focus on his financial success or his accomplishments as one of the early black McDonald’s franchise owners. Instead, they recounted James Cobham’s passion for enriching the lives of those who worked for him:

“He always treated people with dignity,” said his wife, Barbara, the firm’s bookkeeper. “That love was like a bond, and [employees] were willing to do their very best.”

He inspired loyalty because he was loyal to employees, said Glenn E. Johnson, who was 15 in 1976 when he went to work at a restaurant Mr. Cobham managed in St. Louis. When Mr. Cobham bought a Toledo McDonald’s franchise in 1984, Mr. Johnson came too as an assistant manager.

Mr. Cobham’s protege became a manager and eventually owned five McDonald’s in Toledo.

“He inspired you. He allowed me to operate his business as if it was my own, which allowed me the opportunity to have the experience,” Mr. Johnson said. “He had a real sense of wanting to help people and seeing people prosper.”

Mr. Cobham had that sense from a young age. He told The Blade in 1991 that all he could do growing up black in segregated Savannah, Ga., was deliver newspapers and cut yards.

“I always hoped for the day where I would be able to give jobs to people,” Mr. Cobham said then.

The eldest of seven, he went to Knoxville College and received a bachelor’s degree from the District of Columbia Teachers College. His first McDonald’s job, part time, was in Washington. He climbed the managerial ladder in Chicago and St. Louis.

Mr. Cobham of West Toledo was a former treasurer of the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association. He was on the boards of Toledo area charitable and community organizations, including as a founding board member of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union and the then-Northwest Ohio Black Chamber of Commerce.

In 1993, the City League Hall of Fame inducted him as a distinguished citizen. In 1995, the Business Owners and Professionals Club of Toledo honored him for being the largest Toledo employer of inner-city youth.

Some business owners see their mission as flipping burgers or creating profit & loss statements; others, like James Cobham, Jr., recognize that they’ve got the opportunity – and responsibility – to change the world.

My condolences to his widow, Barbara, who mourns the loss of her husband and her 38-year old son in the same month. At least she knows that her husband’s memory and spirit lives on in the hundreds, if not thousands, of lives that he touched.

James Cobham, Jr. clearly shared Martin Luther King’s streetsweeper philosophy, and elevated franchise ownership to its full potential.

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